Italy's Northern Lakes - from Milan to Verona

About the destination: With something almost Northern European in the air, yet exuding Italian style, Milan is Italy's most cosmopolitan city. The capital of Lombardy is both hardworking and glamorous - powerful in businesses from finance to fashion and, of course, football. But what gives Milan its certain something is its status as the epicentre of Italian fashion and interior design. International fashionistas, designers, supermodels and paparazzi descend upon the city twice a year for its spring and autumn fairs: Milan, which has carefully guarded its reputation for flair, drama and creativity, is Italy's natural stage. This is certainly one of the best places in Italy to shop, or windowshop. Milan is the main industrial, commercial and financial centre of Italy and as such, is unsurprisingly business-like in appearance. At first glance, it lacks the wow factor, but if you take time and are determined to explore Milan’s streets, you’ll access its aesthetically appealing gems – and they do exist. Cut through the modern metropolitan bustle, and you will stumble across impressive churches and palaces, the pretty Navigli area, the chic Brera district and lively university quarter, and no need to mention a landmark such as the Duomo, or that the city is impressively home to Leonardo da Vinci's 15th century masterpiece The Last Supper. Milan cannot be faulted when it comes to having a good time. The Milanese know how to party – and they don’t waste time getting started. Nightlife tends to kick off at 6pm; enjoying an aperitivo in which locals unwind with post-work drinks and nibbles before heading home is the rule rather than exception. So whether you’re looking for cut-price fashion, an alternative city break or a chance to paint the town red, Milan has undoubtedly got it covered.

About the destination: With something almost Northern European in the air, yet exuding Italian style, Milan is Italy's most cosmopolitan city. The capital of Lombardy is both hardworking and glamorous - powerful in businesses from finance to fashion and, of course, football. But what gives Milan its certain something is its status as the epicentre of Italian fashion and interior design. International fashionistas, designers, supermodels and paparazzi descend upon the city twice a year for its spring and autumn fairs: Milan, which has carefully guarded its reputation for flair, drama and creativity, is Italy's natural stage. This is certainly one of the best places in Italy to shop, or windowshop. Milan is the main industrial, commercial and financial centre of Italy and as such, is unsurprisingly business-like in appearance. At first glance, it lacks the wow factor, but if you take time and are determined to explore Milan’s streets, you’ll access its aesthetically appealing gems – and they do exist. Cut through the modern metropolitan bustle, and you will stumble across impressive churches and palaces, the pretty Navigli area, the chic Brera district and lively university quarter, and no need to mention a landmark such as the Duomo, or that the city is impressively home to Leonardo da Vinci's 15th century masterpiece The Last Supper. Milan cannot be faulted when it comes to having a good time. The Milanese know how to party – and they don’t waste time getting started. Nightlife tends to kick off at 6pm; enjoying an aperitivo in which locals unwind with post-work drinks and nibbles before heading home is the rule rather than exception. So whether you’re looking for cut-price fashion, an alternative city break or a chance to paint the town red, Milan has undoubtedly got it covered.

About the destination: "The Lake Como is a lake of glacial origin in Lombardy, Italy, is the third-largest lake in Italy, after Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore. It is one of the deepest lakes in Europe. As a tourist destination is popular for its landscapes, wildlife, and spas. It is a venue for sailing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing. It is long and narrow, and has the appearance of a mighty river winding among the mountains and the forests. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • The Comacina Island is the unique island of Lake Como. Sights include seven churches built by the ancient Byzantines, secluded corners and the open views. • Sacro Monte di Ossucio. The Sacro Monte di Ossuccio is a sanctuary located on a hillside slope between olive groves and woods along the western edge of Lake Como facing Isola Comacina. • Villa Monastero. It is located in Varenna. Villa Monastero is a fairly small villa, now used for conferences, with a long thin garden along the lake shore. The garden is the main attraction, it is a memorable sight."

About the destination: "Brescia is the city and comune in the region of Lombardy in northern Italy. It is situated at the foot of the Alps, between the Mella River and the Naviglio, a few kilometres from the lakes Garda and Iseo. The urban area of Brescia extends beyond the administrative city limits. The city is the administrative capital of the Province of Brescia, one of the largest in Italy. Brescia is home to several great museums and is a primary tourist city of Italy. Among main attraction tourist, you can find: • Tempio Capitolino. Old Roman ruins, built it by the emperor Vespasian. • Old and New Duomo. The unique pre-renaisance church has a massive stone dome and 12th century crucifixes. • The Castle. Dating to pre-Roman times and Venetian overlords of the 16th century, the city's stronghold houses museums of armory and of the Risorgimento. • Santa Giulia's cloister: This museum and former convent houses a massive collection of art and archeology dating back more than 10,000 years and exploring the region's history from pre-history to Roman occupation to the Lombard invasion, etc. • La Loggia. The city hall and center of regional government, this large and oddly shaped building presides over the city's central square. • Mille Miglia. The Mille Miglia, which starts in Brescia, was one of the world's top automobile races. The actual race, now a parade of refurbished and custom designed cars that slowly winds its way through 1000 miles of northern Italy, starts in May of each year."

About the destination: Set amid endless vineyards and cypress groves, this melange of Roman ruins, pink palazzi and fanciful sepulchres has a romantic beauty that is difficult to over-praise. Shakespeare set Romeo and Juliet here, and would likely be amused to know that his imaginary lovers have become Verona’s hottest tourist attraction. Nonetheless, Verona has more to offer than just Romeo and Juliet. In Verona’s centre, Brà square, there is the almost perfectly preserved Roman Arena. Up via Mazzini from the Arena is piazza delle Erbe, where corny gadgets are sold amid the Renaissance palazzo of former Veronese merchants and has a lively atmosphere with pretty cafes and dazzling restaurants. Through an arch on the right are piazza dei Signori and the Tombs of the Scaligeri, the peculiar Gothic remnants of della Scalla, Verona’s medieval tyrants. The equestrian statue of Cangrande I, head of the Scalla clan is a glorification of raw power and can be visited at the museum of Castelvecchio. But if you are an incurable romantic, at 23 via Cappello you’ll find Juliet’s house, where lovers graffiti their hopeful pleas. The house where Romeo used to live is now a bar. This ancient city exudes history from every brick and is well worth a visit.

About the destination: With something almost Northern European in the air, yet exuding Italian style, Milan is Italy's most cosmopolitan city. The capital of Lombardy is both hardworking and glamorous - powerful in businesses from finance to fashion and, of course, football. But what gives Milan its certain something is its status as the epicentre of Italian fashion and interior design. International fashionistas, designers, supermodels and paparazzi descend upon the city twice a year for its spring and autumn fairs: Milan, which has carefully guarded its reputation for flair, drama and creativity, is Italy's natural stage. This is certainly one of the best places in Italy to shop, or windowshop. Milan is the main industrial, commercial and financial centre of Italy and as such, is unsurprisingly business-like in appearance. At first glance, it lacks the wow factor, but if you take time and are determined to explore Milan’s streets, you’ll access its aesthetically appealing gems – and they do exist. Cut through the modern metropolitan bustle, and you will stumble across impressive churches and palaces, the pretty Navigli area, the chic Brera district and lively university quarter, and no need to mention a landmark such as the Duomo, or that the city is impressively home to Leonardo da Vinci's 15th century masterpiece The Last Supper. Milan cannot be faulted when it comes to having a good time. The Milanese know how to party – and they don’t waste time getting started. Nightlife tends to kick off at 6pm; enjoying an aperitivo in which locals unwind with post-work drinks and nibbles before heading home is the rule rather than exception. So whether you’re looking for cut-price fashion, an alternative city break or a chance to paint the town red, Milan has undoubtedly got it covered.